THE EXPERIMENT OF LIGHT PROPAGATION WITHIN
AN INERTIAL REFERENCE FRAME

ABSTRACT

Einstein’s second postulate of the Special theory of Relativity states that “ the laws of Physics are the same in every inertial reference frame (equivalence of inertial reference frames)”.
However, the moving electric charge experiment described on a previous link (See experiment - 21 on www.tsolkas.gr) demonstrates the falsity of this postulate.
Another experiment proving the above is the experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame which is fully described below.

Although of great significance to physics, this experiment is low-cost and can de easily carried out by universities, physics researchers, etc.

THE EXPERIMENT

1. Theoretical part
Let there be a platform P (Fig. 1) which is stationary relative to the surface of the Earth.

Fig. 1

Two parallel mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο of length ℓ are placed on platform Ρ, spaced at a distance d from one another. Mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο are perpendicular to platform P.
A light source L emits a ray of monochromatic light L₁. Ray L₁ is parallel to mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο and platform P, as well.
Using a mirror Μ₁, we cause light ray L₁ to deflect at an angle φ (e.g. φ = 100^ο).
Ray L₁ reflecting off mirror Μ₁ is successively reflected by parallel mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο at points 1, 2, 3, … n – 1, n at an angle ω (ω < φ).
Once ray L₁ strikes mirror Μ_2, it bounces off at an angle ρ and hits mirror Μ₃, then reflects off mirror Μ₃ at an angle σ and falls onto mirror Μ₄; then bouncing off mirror Μ₄ at an angle τ it strikes mirror Μ₅, and reflecting off the latter at an angle θ it finally falls onto screen S_o at a point A.
Note: Apparently, all mirrors M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₁, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅, as well as screen S_o, are perpendicular to platform P and fixedly placed on it.
Let us assume that we move platform P (together with light source L, mirrors M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₁, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅, screen S_o placed thereon) at a constant velocity ν, relative to the surface of the Earth.
In this case, the following will occur for an observer (Ο) found on platform Ρ:

1. If the second postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity holds true (Ether exists in nature), then light ray L₁ emitted by light source L should fall at all times onto the exact same point Α on screen So, either platform P is stationary (ν = 0) or moving at a constant velocity ν > 0 relative to the Earth.
2. Conversely, assuming that Ether exists in nature, then from the perspective of observer (O) found on moving platform Ρ (at a velocity ν > 0 relative to the Earth), ray L₁ will travel along a different path (green coloured) and will eventually strike screen S_o at a different point Α΄ spaced at a distance ΑΑ΄ = a from point A, where a≠0.

Now the question being raised is the following:
Which of the above two cases will observer (O), who stands on moving platform Ρ (ν > 0), see occurring, Case 1 or Case 2?
This critical question can be answered by performing the “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame”, fully described below. 

2. Experimental apparatus
Description: As per Fig. 1, the apparatus used for conducting the “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame” consists of the following:
Light source L is a 20-mW Laserpointer, emitting monochromatic green light of wavelength
λ=5,3 ^. 10^-7m .
The outgoing laser beam has a circular cross section of diameter d_o = 3 mm (Picture 1).

Photo 1

Platform Ρ consists of a wooden surface measuring 150 cm x 42 cm x 1,2 cm (Photo 2).

Photo 2

The two parallel mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο measure 120 cm x 15 cm x 3 mm and are spaced 46 cm
apart (d = 46 cm).
Mirror Μ₁ measures 10 cm x 10 cm x 3 mm.
Also, mirrors Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ and screen S_o measure 12 cm x 14 cm x 3 mm.
Light source L is placed horizontally and parallel to mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο and at a height h = 4 cm above wooden platform P.
Also, the two parallel mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο are connected to one another by five pairs of J-type steel grub screws, 50 cm long.
Each such pair consists of two grub screws of diameter d₁ = 5 mm and D₁ = 10 mm respectively.
All grub screws are fitted with nuts f at both ends, for adjusting the parallelity of mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο.
Note: At this point, it should be stressed that light source L, mirrors M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₁, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ and screen So, are fixedly and immovably placed on wooden platform P.
Thus, light beam L₁ strikes mirror Μ₁ and is reflected at an angle φ of 112^ο approximately (φ = 112^ο).
Then, light beam L₁ reflects off mirror M_o onto 10 points successively, and off mirror Μ΄_ο onto 9 points successively at an angle ω of 14^ο approximately (ω = 14^ο).
Then, light beam L₁ bounces off mirrors Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ falling ultimately onto screen S_o.
Thus, the overall path L_o followed by light beam L₁, starting from light source L and reaching screen S_o is 9 m approximately (L_o = 9 m).

NOTABLE REMARK

At this point, the following should be underlined:
Given that:
1) Light beam L₁ emitted from light source L (Laserpointer) has a circular cross section of
diameter d_o = 3 mm (i.e. it is not a dimensionless straight line).
2) Mirrors M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₁, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ are of a small thickness (3 mm) and their surface is not totally flat, and
3) Light beam L₁ (as mentioned above) covers a relatively long distance L_o = 9 m when it travels from light source L to screen So, having the following effect:
When light beam L₁ falls onto screen S_o it does not form a bright dot (point); on the contrary, an irregularly shaped image Ι_ο is formed on screen S_o (Photo 3).
Image Ιο consists internally of bright and dark fringes.
These bright and dark fringes are variously shaped (lines, dots, etc) and sized (Photo 3).

Photo 3

Note: If we place a biconvex lens of diameter  D = 6 cm at a very small distance from mirror Μ₅, we will see beautiful and sizeable homocentric, circular bright and dark fringes form on screen S_o, allowing us to make several important observations when performing this experiment.
After everything described above, we secure platform P (together with light source L, mirrors M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₁, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ and screen S_o) on a wooden base Β₁ (made of Novopan) measuring 160 cm x 60 cm x 3 cm, (Photo 2).
Also, between platform P and base Β₁ four wooden props a₁, a₂, a₃, a₄ measuring 40 cm x 5 cm x 2 cm are transversely and equidistantly inserted; these props are securely fastened to platform P and base Β_1.
Note: In order to ensure greater stability and rigidity for the experimental apparatus, base Β₁ is further supported perimetrically as follows: i) lengthwise by two reinforced aluminum plates G₁ and G₂, 160 cm long and 9 cm wide, and ii) widthwise by two steel plates G₃ and G₄ measuring 25 cm x 7 cm x 2 mm.
Thus, platform Ρ and base Β₁ are securely fastened together constituting an uniform structure of great stability and rigidity. Platform P and base Β₁ make up the experimental apparatus (Photo 2).

The support base of the experimental apparatus
The base that supports the experimental apparatus (as shown in Photo 2) consists of the following parts (Photo 4):

Photo 4

1) A highly stable and rigid MDF surface Β₂ measuring 160 cm x 60 cm x 16 mm.
2) A bubble wrap sheet Β₃ placed on top of surface Β₂, measuring 160 cm x 60 cm x 2 cm.
3) A foam rubber layer Β₄, measuring 160 cm x 60 cm x 5 cm, placed on top of bubble wrap sheet Β₃.
4) Six steel H-shaped squares fixedly placed around the perimeter of MDF surface B₂, measuring 10 cm x 10 cm x 2 mm.

The purpose of using these six Η-shaped squares is to prevent the experimental apparatus, as well as surfaces Β₂, Β₃ and Β₄,  from shifting horizontally (Photo 2).
Subsequently, we place the experimental apparatus as shown in Photo 2 on top of foam rubber layer Β₄ (Photo 4).
In this way, the experimental apparatus “floats” freely on foam rubber layer Β₄, unaffected by vibrations.

5) Because this experiment (as discussed below) is carried out inside a moving vehicle (automobile), there are two bubble-wrap “pillows” Β₅ (50 cm x 30 cm x 3 cm) between MDF surface Β₂ and the automobile’s support points.

Finally, Photo 5 shows the complete experimental apparatus, as used for the purposes of this experiment (experimental device, Photo 2 + support base, Photo 4).

Photo 5

PERFORMING THE EXPERIMENT

The “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame” was performed at night in two phases, as follows:
PHASE Ι: Let automobile S be an inertial reference frame.
We place the entire experimental apparatus (Photo 5) inside automobile S which is stationary relative to the Earth (ν = 0). The experimental apparatus is positioned horizontally, while parallel mirrors M_o and Μ΄_ο are also parallel to the direction of the automobile’s motion S. Then a light beam L₁ is emitted by light source L (Laserpointer). Light beam L₁ goes in a direction opposite to that of the automobile’s motion. As mentioned above, light beam L₁, after successive reflecting off mirrors Μ₁, M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ (10 reflections off mirror Μ_ο and 9 reflections off mirror Μ΄_ο), eventually falls onto screen S_o forming an image Ι₁ of the fringes, similar to image Ι_ο of the fringes  shown in Photo 3.
Thus, when automobile S is stationary relative to the Earth (ν = 0), the image Ι₁ of the fringes seen by observer (Ο) inside automobile S, remains always constant in time.

PHASE ΙΙ: We set automobile S in motion, at a constant velocity ν = 160 Km/h relative to the Earth.
Then a light beam L₁ is emitted from light source L (Laserpointer).
Light beam L₁, after successively reflecting off mirrors M_o, Μ΄_ο, Μ₂, Μ₃, Μ₄, Μ₅ (10 reflections off mirror Μ_ο and 9 reflections off mirror Μ΄_ο), eventually falls onto screen S_o forming image Ι₂ of the fringes similar to image Ι_ο of the fringes shown in Photo 3.
Thus, during the performance of the experiment, observer (Ο) who is inside the moving automobile S (Phase ΙΙ), will notice that image Ι₂ of the fringes is different from image Ι₁ of the fringes when automobile S is stationary relative to the Earth (Phase Ι).
More specifically, the internal part of image Ι₂, looks different from that of image Ι₁.

For observer (Ο) sitting inside automobile S, each time the experiment was performed (more than 20 observations were made), the image Ι₁ of the fringes produced on screen S_ο by light beam L₁ in Phase Ι (ν = 0) was at all times different from image Ι₂ of the fringes formed by light beam L₁ in Phase II (ν > 0).
Based on the observations made during the performance of this experiment, the following conclusion is drawn:

The above conclusion is of great importance for Physics and totally contrary to the second postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity, because:
According to the second postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity (for observer (O) who is inside automobile S, the image Ι₁ of the fringes in Phase I (ν=0) and the image Ι₂ of the fringes in Phase II (ν > 0) should be identical, with no differences between them.
However, the observations made during the performance of the experiment showed that image Ι₁ of the fringes in Phase I (ν = 0) and image Ι₂ of the fringes in Phase II (ν>0) are never the same and are always different to one another.
Therefore, given what we discussed above and based on the conclusions drawn from performing our experiment in Phase I (ν = 0) and Phase II (ν > 0), it is experimentally proven that the second postulate of the Special Theory of Relativity is completely false.
Thus, inertial reference frames are never equal in terms of all natural laws, as Einstein mistakenly claims in the axiomatic foundation of the Social Theory of Relativity.
Obviously, the implications of the results of the «experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame» are huge for contemporary Physics, because:
Based on the results of the “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame”, it emerges that Ether (as a medium for the propagation of light) does exist in Nature (see the “New Ether Model”) as described in detail on the site www.tsolkas.gr.

THE CONSEQUENCES

As is well known, the Special Theory of Relativity is based upon the following two postulates:
Postulate Ι: The speed of light c is the same for all observers.
Postulate ΙΙ: The laws of physics are the same in every inertial reference frame
                     (equivalence of inertial frames of reference).

The above two postulates are equal in the sense that:
When postulate I is true, then postulate II is also true and, vice versa, when postulate II is true, then postulate I is also true. However (as previously discussed), based on the results of performing the “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame”, it was experimentally proven that postulate II of the Special Theory of Relativity is not valid in Nature. Therefore, if postulate II is not valid, it follows that postulate I is not valid either.
Thus, the speed of light c is never the same for all observers, as Einstein mistakenly claims, according to postulate I of the Special Theory of Relativity.
In consequence, both postulates (Postulate I and Postulate II) of the axiomatic foundation of the Special Theory of Relativity are completely false.
Note: Obviously, the same conclusion (i.e. that both postulates, Postulate I and Postulate II, are untrue) results from performing the «experiment of the moving electric charge» (see experiment – 21, at  www.tsolkas.gr).

FINAL CONCLUSION

From what we discussed above, it emerges that:
Α. Based on the results of performing:

1. The “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame”, as described above, and
2. The “experiment of the moving electric charge” (see experiment – 21, at www.tsolkas.gr).

it is experimentally proven that:
The axiomatic foundation of the Special Theory of Relativity (Postulate I and Postulate II) is false in its entirety, and, therefore, Ether does exist in Nature (see the “New Ether Model” at www.tsolkas.gr).
Therefore, the Special Theory of Relativity is a false Theory of Physics.
Β. In addition, because the true cause of the perihelion shift of planet Mercury (and other planets) is not the curvature of space-time around the Sun (as Einstein mistakenly claims in the General Theory of Relativity) but the Sun’s revolution around the centre of mass of our Solar System (See «Planet Mercury’s perihelion shift» at www.tsolkas.gr), this means that:
The General Theory of Relativity is also a false Theory of Physics.
Consequently, on the basis of what we discussed above ((A) and (B)), it is proven, beyond doubt, that the Theory of Relativity is, in its entirety (Special and General) a completely false Theory of Physics.
The above (A) and (B) mark, once and for all and irrevocably, the end of the Theory of Relativity (Special and General).
In essence, the Theory of Relativity is in fact pseudo-physics, and by no means expresses the natural reality.

COMMENT

Why are these two important experiments, namely:

1. The “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame”, as described above, and
2. The “experiment of the moving electric charge” (See experiment – 21, at www.tsolkas.gr).

(which are very simple to perform and cost very little money) not performed by various universities, etc, in order to prove, beyond any doubt, that that the Theory of Relativity is a completely false Theory of Physics?
Might there be hidden interests preventing those two important experiments of Physics from being performed?

NOTE: The above «experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame» was performed on five evenings on the by-pass of the Agrinio motorway, from “Kouvaras” to Kefalovryso Aitolikou and vice versa, in an automobile travelling at a velocity of ν = 160 Km/h.
Thanks: Having reached the end of this project, I would like to thank by brother, Fotis Tsolkas, for his help with performing the “experiment of light propagation within an inertial reference frame”.
Also, for the photographs used in this project, thanks are due to the Technofilm photography studio, owned by my friends Kostas and Anna Synetopoulou in Agrinio.

Copyright 2010: Christos A. Tsolkas                                          Agrinio, April 6^th, 2010

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